Category: Constipation
Constipation means that bowel movements are hard and dry, difficult or painful to pass, and less frequent than usual. It is a common problem for children, but it is usually temporary and no cause for parents to be concerned.
When a child does not eat enough fiber, drink enough liquids, or get enough exercise, constipation is more likely to occur. It also happens when children ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. Sometimes constipation is caused by medicines or a disease.
Treatment of constipation depends on the cause, severity, and duration of the constipation, but in most cases, following these simple dietary and lifestyle changes will help relieve symptoms and help prevent recurrence of constipation:
Diet
Eating a well balanced diet with enough fiber, 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day for adults, and for children – 10 grams plus the child’s age (example, an 8 year old child would need 10 grams + 8 years = 18 grams per day), is recommended by the American Dietetic Association to help form soft, bulky stools.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Some people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), also known as spastic colon or mucous colitis, have spasms in the colon that affect bowel movements. Constipation and diarrhea often alternate, and abdominal cramping, gassiness, and bloating are other common complaints.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that comes and goes. Nerves that control the muscles in the intestine do not function correctly. The intestine becomes sensitive to food, stool, gas, and stress, causing abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea.
To help relieve symptoms and prevent recurrence of constipation:
- Eat more fiber foods and drink plenty of water and other liquids (six to eight glasses) such as fruit and vegetable juices and clear soups.
Eating a well balanced diet with enough fiber, 20 to 35 grams each day, recommended by the American Dietetic Association, helps form soft, bulky stool.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Americans eat an average of 5 to 14 grams of fiber daily. Both children and adults eat too many refined and processed foods from which the natural fiber has been removed.
Constipation occurs when the colon absorbs too much water or if the colon’s muscle contractions are slow or sluggish, causing the stool to move through the colon too slowly. As a result, stools can become hard and dry.
Some Common Causes of Constipation Are:
1. Constipation and Fiber
Not eating enough fiber in your diet.
2. Not Enough Liquids
Not drinking enough liquids. Drink eight 8-ounce glasses a day.
3. Lack of exercise
Lack of exercise, especially in the elderly. A 20 to 30 minute walk every day is good.
Constipation is the passage (difficulty passing stools – straining) of small amounts of hard, dry bowel movements, usually defined as “fewer” than three times a week.
Almost everyone gets constipated from time to time. In most cases, it lasts for only a short time and is not serious.
Some people believe they are constipated, or irregular, if they do not have a bowel movement every day. There is no right number of daily or weekly bowel movements. Normal may be three times a day or three times a week depending on the person. Some people naturally have firmer stools than others. Normal bowel habits vary from one person to the next. However, whenever a significant or prolonged change in bowel habits occurs, check with your doctor.
The disorders mentioned below can slow the movement of stool through the colon, rectum, or anus causing constipation.
Neurological Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s Disease (PD) – Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.
- Chronic Idiopathic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction
- Stroke
- Spinal Cord Injury
Constipation can be caused by a variety of medications. Some are:
- Pain medications, especially narcotics – drugs containing morphine or codeine.
- Calcium pills and antacids that contain aluminum and calcium.
- High blood pressure medications – calcium channel blockers.
- Antiparkinson drugs.
- Antispasmodics – medication that lowers the incidence of or prevents seizures or muscle spasms.
- Antidepressants – medication used to treat depression.
- Iron supplements.
Children can get constipated due to many reasons. Some reasons why children get constipated are:
- They were potty-trained too early.
- They refuse to have a bowel movement because of painful ones in the past, embarrassment, stubbornness, or even a dislike of public bathrooms.
- They are in an unfamiliar place.
- They are reacting to family stress such as a new sibling or their parents’ divorce.
- They can’t get to a bathroom when they need to go so they hold it. As the rectum fills with stool, the child may lose the urge to go and become constipated as the stool dries and hardens.
- A low-fiber diet.
- Certain medications or drugs, such as antacids, opiates, and antidepressants.
- Diseases, such as Hirschsprung disease, diabetes, and Down syndrome.
- Anatomic abnormalities, such as a birth defect.